The regular season hasn't even begun, and the Pittsburgh Steelers offensive line is already a glaring concern. After a few signings in the off-season in James Daniels and Mason Cole, as well as the expected growth from the young guys, the offensive line was expected to take a step forward from a disastrous 2021 season. Somehow, it's looking like the unit could be even worse this season. It's still early, there's still one preseason game remaining, but the initial signs are not good.
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All of this comes back to one thing: the team's refusal to draft offensive linemen early in the NFL Draft over the past few years. Instead, the Steelers front office has opted to revitalize the skill positions on offense, which was a dire need as well. In the 2021 NFL Draft, former GM Kevin Colbert opted to address running back and tight end in the first two rounds with Najee Harris and Pat Freiermuth. Not to take anything away from those two, as they seem to be important building blocks for the future, but offensive line should have been addressed early in 2021.
It'll be interesting to see if Omar Khan reverts to Colbert's old ways and begins drafting linemen again early in drafts. The team waited until the third and fourth rounds, settling for Kendrick Green and Dan Moore Jr. Moore had an average rookie season, but he's looked completely lost in the preseason so far. Green may be on his way out of Pittsburgh already with the way he's playing, as the transition from center to guard hasn't seemed to make him any better of a player. Green was seen as a raw player coming out of college, and that's proved to be accurate.
The offensive line isn't a position in which you can shortcut and pick one up late in the draft, typically. That's not to say a third and fourth rounders are necessarily late draft picks, but you won't be getting any top prospects in those areas. Look back to the model of the early-2010's Steelers teams.
Maurkice Pouncey, a future Hall of Famer and staple at center, was selected in the first round, 18th overall in the 2010 NFL Draft. Likewise, David DeCastro was selected in the first round, 24th overall, in the 2012 NFL Draft. Marcus Gilbert, an eight-year veteran in Pittsburgh, was picked in the second round. A previously suspect offensive line, the Steelers front office rejuvenated the group via the draft.
EAST RUTHERFORD, NEW JERSEY - DECEMBER 22: David DeCastro #66 and Ramon Foster #73 of the Pittsburgh Steelers look on during the first half of the game against the New York Jets at MetLife Stadium on December 22, 2019 in East Rutherford, New Jersey. (Photo by Sarah Stier/Getty Images)
Sure, the team hit some home runs in Ramon Foster, Alejandro Villanueva, and even as far as Matt Feiler. All of those guys established themselves with the Steelers after going undrafted in their respective draft classes. That was the model though in building arguably the best offensive line of the 2010's. After that era of guys retired, the team has failed to replicate the same model. Middle round draft picks completely goes away from what they've done best in the past. It's important to note that Mike Munchak played a vital role in developing those linemen as well, as he was one of the best OL coaches in the NFL.
Rewinding back to the 2021 NFL Draft, the options in the late first round weren't the best. That's why the team was likely settled on Harris with the 24th overall selection. In the second round though, the team had an opportunity to solidify the interior of the offensive line with center Creed Humphrey. While Freiermuth has proved to be a great selection, the offensive line should have perhaps taken priority over the tight end position in hindsight.
Fast forward to this off-season, and the team opted to go the unconventional route. Historically, the Steelers are one of the least active teams in free agency. This year, Daniels and Cole were given a lot of money to revamp the line. Again, they still have time to turn things around, especially as they adjust to offensive line coach Pat Meyer's new scheme and philosophy.
Quarterback Kenny Pickett, center, the Pittsburgh Steelers first-round NFL football draft pick, poses for a photo with head coach Mike Tomlin, left, and president/owner Art Rooney II, at the team's training facility in Pittsburgh, Friday, April 29, 2022. (AP Photo/Gene J. Puskar)
One has to wonder though why they didn't go the draft route, where they had built success in the past. Seen as a weakness still, the team didn't draft a single offensive lineman with any of their seven picks in the 2022 NFL Draft. Instead, quarterback Kenny Pickett and wide receiver George Pickens were taken in the first two rounds. So far, it's hard to argue with either pick, much like the ones made in 2021.
With that being said, not addressing the offensive line at all in the draft could prove to be a disaster for this year's team. At this point, the Steelers could take a lineman in the first round of the 2023 NFL Draft just purely based on needs.
What are your guys' thoughts? Should the team have addressed the OL earlier in the past two drafts? Let us know your thoughts in the comment section below!
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